Self leveling mount

ABSTRACT

A mounting member which affords an apparatus to be leveled on a vertical support surface regardless of levelness of the fastening means. The mounting member also allows for a versatile means of attachment and fastening the apparatus to a vertical support surface. The mounting member is particularly suited for dispensing equipment and other apparatus&#39; that contain liquid compositions or which function best when at a level position on a vertical support surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] None

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] None

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] This invention relates to a mounting member. More particularly, it relates to a self leveling mounting member having a shape which allows for the level installation of an apparatus when the fastening members may not be level.

[0004] A mounting member that allows an apparatus to be leveled after the fastening members have already been secured to a support surface can lower installation time and increase the accuracy of the leveling process. Also the mounting member itself as placed on the apparatus may not be exactly level so even if the fastening members are perfectly level the flaw may be in the mounting member itself thus increasing the difficulty in leveling the apparatus. The mounting members in use currently may allow for some adjustment prior to the fastening member being completely engaged, but once the fastening member is completely engaged the mounting member shifts back to its original position or the apparatus is not secured to a surface adequately.

[0005] When installing a dispensing apparatus, the system must be level to prevent the leaking of chemicals, inaccurate dilution or the incomplete usage of the chemicals. In order to align the fastening members so that the dispensing apparatus can be level may be time consuming and difficult for the aforementioned reasons. This innovation allows for the correction of inaccuracies without the need to move the fastening members.

[0006] Thus, it can be seen that there is a need for an improved mounting member which affords easy installation of an apparatus as well as accurate leveling.

[0007] The objects of the invention therefore are:

[0008] Providing an improved of apparatus' mounting member.

[0009] Providing a mounting member, which affords quicker leveling of an apparatus being mounted to a vertical surface.

[0010] Providing a mounting member, which affords the ability to correct inconsistencies in an apparatus allowing for a level installation.

[0011] Providing a mounting member of the foregoing type, which allows for secure installation while allowing the adjustment of the apparatus after the fastening member has already been engaged with a support surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The foregoing objects are accomplished and the shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by the self-leveling mounting member of this invention which includes in one embodiment a mounting member for attachment to an essentially vertical support surface. The mounting member includes a plate member for mounting on the support surface in a vertical manner. The plate member incorporates at least two openings spaced from each other in a parallel manner along a vertical axis and the openings intersected by a horizontal axis, the openings defined by two adjacent angular edge surfaces, the edge surfaces meeting at an angle. A fastening member is secured to the support surface and positioned in the openings and against a surface of the plate member, the opening constructed and arranged with the plate member to provide automatic leveling of the mounting member.

[0013] In another embodiment the openings and the mounting member are defined by a pentagonal shape and the plate member comprises a portion of a liquid dispensing apparatus. The angle of the edge surface may be between 70 and 170 degrees but preferable would be approximately 90 degrees and the fastening member has a head.

[0014] A method of attaching an apparatus to an essentially vertical support surface is also presented wherein, at least two fastening members are partially engaged with the vertical support surface and placed in at least two openings in a mounting member, the mounting member is and openings are adjusted around the fastening member until the apparatus is essentially level and then the fastening member is fully engaged with the apparatus securing the apparatus in said level position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the dispensing apparatus showing the mounting member of the invention;

[0016]FIG. 2 is a front view of the mounting member with completely engaged fastening members;

[0017]FIG. 3 is a front view of the dispensing apparatus showing the mounting member of this invention; and

[0018]FIG. 4 is a front partial view of the mounting member with a completely engaged fastening member;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, there is a dispensing apparatus 13 in connection with the mounting member generally 10 which includes a plate member 12 and openings 11. The openings 11 have the pentagonal shape which allows for the self-leveling feature of the invention. The plate member 12 is attached to the back portion 16 of the apparatus 13 with the upper portion 17 positioned on top for installation of the apparatus 13 to a vertical support surface such as a wall 15.

[0020] As seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, the mounting member 10 includes a plate member 12, fastening members 14 and openings 11. The pentagonal shape of the openings 11 are arranged so the top angle is pointing in the direction of the upper portion 17. The pentagonal shape of the openings 11 allow for the mounting member 10 to be leveled after the fastening member 14 is initially engaged with the vertical surface. Then once the fastening member 14 is fully engaged with the vertical surface the mounting member 10 is level even though the fastening member 14 or the openings 11 may not be level.

[0021] In FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrated a partial view of the mounting member 10 with one opening 11 fully engaged with the fastening member 14 and one opening 11 is without the fastening member 14. FIG. 5 shows the openings 11 parallel to each other along the y or vertical axes 19 and that the openings 11 are intersected by the x or horizontal axis 18. The edge surface 20 of the openings is between 70 and 170 degrees allowing for the full mobility of the openings 11 and fastening members 14 to level the dispensing apparatus 13. The edged surface 20 preferred embodiment would have the angle at 90 degrees allowing for optimum mobility and leveling aspects of the invention.

[0022] The FIGS further show a method of attaching a dispensing apparatus 13 to a support surface 15 using a mounting member 10. At least two fastening members 14 are partially engaged with the support surface and engaged with the mounting member 10 having at least two openings 11. The openings 11 and mounting members 10 are adjusted around the fastening members 14 until the apparatus 13 is essentially level and then the fastening member 14 is fully engaged with the mounting member 10 and the support surface in the level position.

[0023] The foregoing description was primarily directed to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Although some attention was given to one particular dispensing apparatus within the scope of the invention, it is anticipated that one skilled in the art will likely realize additional alternatives that are now apparent from disclosure of embodiments of the invention. For example, although the present invention has been described in the context of a dispensing apparatus 13, which allows for the leveling of the dispensing apparatus 13, which in turn allows for the even and complete dispensing of products. The invention can be applied to all objects that need to be attached to any surface. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined from the following claims and not limited by the above disclosure. 

1. A mounting member for attachment to an essentially vertical support surface comprising: a plate member for mounting on the surface in a vertical manner; at least two openings in the plate member, the openings spaced from each other in a parallel manner along a vertical axis and the openings intersected by a horizontal axis, the openings defined by two adjacent angular edge surfaces, the edge surfaces meeting at an angle; and a fastening member secured to the support surface and positioned in the openings and against a surface of the plate member, the opening constructed and arranged with the plate member to provide automatic leveling of the mounting member.
 2. The mounting member of claim 1, wherein the openings are defined by a pentagonal shape.
 3. The mounting member of claim 1, wherein the plate member comprises a portion of a liquid dispensing apparatus.
 4. The mounting member of claim 1, wherein the upward angle is in a range from 70 degrees to 170 degrees.
 5. The mounting member of claim 1, where in the upward angle is about 90 degrees.
 6. The mounting member of claim 1, wherein the fastening member has a head.
 7. A mounting member for attachment to an essentially vertical support surface comprising: a plate member for mounting on the surface in a vertical manner; at least two openings in the plate member, the openings spaced from each other in a parallel manner along vertical axes and the openings are intersected by a horizontal axis, the openings defined by two adjacent angular edge surfaces, the edge surfaces meeting at an angle.
 8. A method of attaching an apparatus to a support surface using a mounting member wherein, at least two fastening members are partially engaged with the support surface and engaged with the mounting member with having at least two openings, the openings and mounting member are adjusted around the fastening member until the apparatus is essentially level and then the fastening member is fully engaged with the mounting member and the support surface securing the apparatus in said level position. 